How To Boost Your Sperm Count

When boosting your sperm count there may be a few things you might want to take into account.

Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking tobacco lowers sperm count and also makes them less mobile. In a similar realm, too much alcohol intake can also have a negative impact on your sperm quality.

Numerous studies have been conducted exploring the role that alcohol consumption and smoking elicits on sperm quality and count. A study by Dr. Joo, Dr. Kwon, Dr. Myung, Dr. Kim, and colleagues performed in Korea in 2012 evaluated the effects of smoking and alcohol intake on Sperm Quality. 62 healthy men’s semen samples were collected. The subjects were split according to their alcohol consumption or their smoking status. Semen analysis was performed and TEM was utilized to examine the ultrastructure of the sperm. The study found that in heavy smokers, qualified by individuals who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day, were associated with a decreased sperm count. Moderate to high levels of alcohol consumption was associated with an increase in sperm with morphological abnormalities. The TEM analysis did not reveal an effect of smoking on the ultrastructure of sperm. However, this was not the case for alcohol consumers. Researchers found significant and numerous types of morphologically abnormal cell structures in the sperm. Avoiding the risk of smoking and alcohol consumption altogether will increase the chances for a healthy conception in the long run.

Sleep

Getting more sleep, as well as higher quality sleep is another factor that plays a role in a healthy sperm count. Sleep interruptions, irregular hours, and minimal hours of sleep can negatively damage your body, as well as sperm count. The University of Southern Denmark conducted a study of 953 men which evaluated the relationship between sleep and semen quality. Investigators analyzed various factors, such as total sperm count, percent motile, percent morphologically normal spermatozoa, and testis size. They found an inverse U-shaped curve when plotting the relationship of sleep disturbances and sperm quality. Men who suffered from greater amounts of sleep disturbances displayed lower sperm concentration, as well as a greater percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm than men who suffered from less sleep disturbances.

Diet and Exercise

Finally, a man’s weight plays a role in ensuring a healthy sperm count. This can manifest itself both in emotional and physiological conditions. For instance, being excessively underweight or overweight can lead to morphologically abnormal sperm structures, as well as sperm counts. Emotionally, when a man is dissatisfied with his body, it can lead to decreased libido and performance. Sticking to a diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, learn proteins and whole grains can ensure better sperm health. Specifically, the consumption of carrots and walnuts can help boost both sperm quality and performance. Walnuts contain alpha linolenic acid, which is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. A study conducted at UCLA found men were able to boost the quality of their sperm after adding 75 grams of walnuts to their daily dietary intake. A separate study by Harvard Researchers found that men who increased their intake of orange and yellow fruits and vegetables were able to boost their sperm counts by as much as 8 percent. These included sweet potatoes, melons and carrots. These sperm boosting qualities likely derives from carotenonids. This chemical is responsible for producing the orange hue. The body responds well to the intake of carotenoids because they can convert carotenoids into antioxidants that can help boost health and neutralize free radicals. More information about the study regarding walnuts can be found here. More information about the study regarding carotenoids and carrots can be found here.

Another great option to try is acupuncture, which offers relief from a variety of ailments that afflict men, such as male factor infertility, sexual dysfunction, and prostate hypertrophy. To learn more about this, click here.

“Although I have always loved treating a wide variety of patients, there is no greater honor than to partner with my patients to fulfill their dream of pregnancy and having a baby. Chinese medicine provides me with the tools to help me guide them through this journey and beyond.”